I was there I remember it like it was yesterday not 43 years ago. All the drivers came out to the fence line to watch, thats how special this horse was
A true harness racing legend - I won a big exacta at Greenwood raceway in Toronto (now housing) with Call for Rain and Galbraith on top. He had some great ones.
I did not see Niatross, but I did witness the first race of Somebeach in Grand River, Ontario, Canada. He was not even the favourite - favourite took the lead and Somebeach just came charging at the half and no contest total destruction. I was left in awe but I didn't realize how good he would be. I think the ownership group got offers right then for this horse. It was Grand River day, got autographs from drivers, Pat and Phil Hudon trash talking each other while I got both their autographs (pretty funny). And they had a nice grey horse Admirals Express to show - kids liked that part. Horse so nice and gentle. And I believe won over $2 mil in his career back in early 2000's when it meant something.
I remember when Cam Fella and Niatross toured together and at a couple of tracks they let the two 'race' half a mile. Both horses were at least in their late teens. Niatross paced a half in 57 and if I remember right, off a quarter in 27.2. It was obvious even at his age in proper condition he could have still gone out and beat virtually anyone. Saw him at Walnridge Farm in NJ as well. Awesome horse.
i was at hollywood park for all 3 of his races they were real races for large purses but there was no betting they were terrified of the minus pool he would have created best horse i ever saw i have no doube if he were here today he would pace in 1:46 or better
The biggest difference between Niatross and all the other great ones was Niatross' going so much faster than anyone had ever before....and he did it without the help of a quick hitch, aluminum feather light bikes, drugs, and a driver that was never much good. Somebeach was a freak, Nihilator was a freak, Bret was a freak...but Niatross was the ultimate freak of nature.
People look at times now and try to say Niatross was not as good, but he was a true freak like Somebeachsomewhere and he was the best all time. Give him all of the new equipment and faster tracks and I swear he could beat 1:45 now. Just like Bobby Orr - he was the best of all time, period. Not just the best of his era in hockey. No one comes close. He was the hockey freak.
Saw the big horse do a Tour at Freehold in summer 1994..Still looked great..spoke to his handler who told me they trained him every now and then cause he loved it..He used to fight to turn when warming up..and seeing another horse zipping a quarter. The handler told me there was no doubt..if trained he could still go 56'..on a half in his late teens.. Dont forget his dad Albatross was amazing too..
I WAS THERE TO SEE THIS RACE I WAS SO EXCITED TO SEE CLINT WIN I JUST HAVE TO SAY I WISH THE TRACK WOULD HAVE CONTINUE TO HAVE HARNESS RACING HAS IT WAS THE MOST WONDERFUL SPOT I HAVE BEEN IN CALIFORNIA TO SEE HARNESS RACING
@@mrautomatic9087 Clint is not doing well..he and Barbara are still at the farm, and it has gone to hell..Don't be surprised to hear of an unhappy ending to this story...
Galbraith was a pretty conservative driver too, stating many times Niatross could have gone faster, especially in his Time Trial, but Galbraith didn't push it. What a shame he never raced as a four year old.
Some of the best times of my very eventful life were spent either going to, being at, or after the races at Yonkers or Roosevelt. They drew like 17,000 plus on a Monday or Tuesday night. That entire mindset is gone now. The way of life in the 1960's was fantastic. It's gone now. Other things have replaced it.
I saw Niatross race a few times but was most impressed with him in 1995 when they took him from the farm to showcase him at Freehold Raceway.He was almost 17, his eyes and coat looked great. I asked his handler, how he looked so good at his age.I was told he got bored easy so they treat him with letting him go in the sulky I was told when he trained he would want to turn and start to race.He still went quarters in 30 or so and halves in 60 His trainer swore he could still do 56 if trained down.
Oh those bygone days spending Saturday Nights at Liberty Bell Park as a high school kid. Sitting in the club house with my step dad and his degenerate betting buddies!
brent hachmann hands dwn we had a niatross Colt in Mississippi his name was aligo he had that Hanover blood to he was a legend. But his son who came off a mare that nva went under 2:05 went on to drop a colt call bugleboy who late set track record. But I'm from Mississippi n we didn't get much cause our bloodline was consider garbage but he later changed all that.
i was there that night i saw all of his races at hollypark now i watch the horses race at cal expo for 1600 purses no crowds and very little money in the pools
Again Mark , Shelly Goudreau . Your comment made me curious , Shelly drove at Windsor Raceway along with his father . Just a young kid starting out . You could tell then he was a good one . Followed him at Windsor and in Ohio at Scioto . Started being more interested in runners and lost track . Was shocked and never knew he was killed at Hollywood Park 35 years ago .
@@timothyantoine914 I was at the outside fence at Hollywood Park the night he went down..when Fred was dispersing the Stable equipment, I bought a tack trunk, race bike, and a jog cart cover from him..The bike was the one that Apollo's Way raced in, I still use the jog cart cover..
@@timothyantoine914 Yes..he was just hitting his stride as a driver/trainer and if he had survived the spill, JOHN CAMPBELL would not be the legend that every one has anointed him..Shelly had talent that equaled or surpassed John's at every level..
Hollywood Park was a PREMIER FACILITY for harness racing for over 40 years..it was a year end stop for Free For All PACERS and Trotters along with 3 year old stake colts and fillies..The Trotting and Pacing Classics were the richest races for FREE FOR ALLERS for many years...CRIMINAL that the track is no more..
I was lucky to see him at Yonkers win the Cane Pace. There was a minus pool yet people were still betting him just to save the winning tickets WPS I thought well how special can a horse be? When he came onto the track it was obvious. Big and dark with muscles upon muscles-he seemed not to be in the same class. Special? I think the best of all time. Clint was an ok driver but I wonder what time he'd do with B Sears, Brennan or Walter Case?
first of all, i never said holborn was better than niatross. i only said it wasnt as competitive. i dont even know what youre talking about. and 4 the record hoborn has alot more stakes wins that the meadowlands pace. he's one of the richest pacers of all time, probably close to 2.5 million in earnings.
CLINT GALBRATH DID IT SETTING THE RECORD FOR 152.1 THE OTHER HORSE WERE JUST SUCKING ALONG HE WON BY 10 LENGHTS THE ONLY HORSE CLOSING WAS FATHER DUFFY AND R LAWSON AND HE 12 LENGHTH BEHIND
@Niaspeed Also, Somebeach was defeated in the Meadowlands Pace, and Somebeach never faced Free For All pacers...not to say that he couldn't have, but basically, his short-sighted owners denied their horse the chance at All-Time Greatness that he should have had; Somebeach never defeated any horse born any year other than 2005...3 greatest ever: Niatross; Dan Patch; Bret Hanover, don't sell Bret short 35 straight wins over all size tracks, great horse at 2,3 and 4...
cmon man somebeach lost in the pace with a horrendous drive trying to go 3 wide on the backstretch and art official never left the rail and only won by a whisker on the final jump in 147 and 1
One thing that Roosevelt and Hollywood Park had in common is that they BOTH took 2 of the greatest extra-distance races for FFA pacers and turned them to shit..RR did away with the National Pacing Derby at 1 1/4 miles for no good reason, and HoPk took the APC and made it into a SERIES, instead of the one-off race that it historically was at 11/8 miles..I guess having such great horses like True Duane, Albatross, Young Quinn and TryScotch wasnt enough for those nimrods to leave it be...The same fate befell the Provincial Cup at Windsor...
Different Era, Somebeach, was a rocket, and a damn good sire as well... Niatross raced in an era where there was no carbon fiber sulkys and synthetic harness ' and souped-up(hard clay synthetic) race tracks..
the competition is so much deeper now. niatross had storm damage - 2 horse that were better than storm damage (forget the names) were hurt most of the year. im not saying holborn is better, niatross was one of the greatest but youll never know how he'd fare against todays best pacers. youre saying rocknroll had no chance against him?
nickrock23 Just so you know, Tyler B and Trenton Time were no slouches either, but the only real threat to Niatross was WHAMO, and he died at UF-Gainesville late as a 2yo from salmonella he contracted at Lexington...
really he broke the world record that night(I was there) he never touched him what would you have liked him to do beat him with the whip you know bubkus
@@kimberlygalbraith8287 Your dad was a great trainer, but I can name a dozen drivers at that time, who could have out driven your dad, but I understand and its your right to think of your dad as an all time great driver. That was a time when the trainers who had great horses drove them to make the extra 5% purse,not thinking about the owners and horses to benefit.. just a few examples here, Preston Burris Jr (Silk Stockings)Pat Crowe (Cam Fella),etc..I can go on and on and including your dad..sorry if it hurts, but true..
@CMCArmyROTC Get rid of the hand up rule & introduce cups racing. Be far better from a spectator's POV. I find US harness racing pretty boring actually. Search the 2011 Interdominion Final. You'll see a horse called Mr Feelgood who was a LBJ winner. He finishes 4th behind 1. the best horse racing in ANZ at the moment called Smoken Up 2. IMO the best sit & sprint horse I've ever seen anywhere The Mightyquinn & 3. The richest standardbred of all time (anywhere) Blacks a Fake. More exciting racing.
should of pulled the whip but american horses are week if he had a australian horse staring him down instead of indian file would of folded like a pack of cards
Karloo..Haha..You sir are a troll..that horse was the best ever..Aussies had no balls or they would have brought.. Pure Steel to USA or Satinover, Koala king,Gammalite or Paleface Adios..maybe best group ever to race in Western hemisphere (NZ&Aussie)& Especially since Pure Steel loud owners offering $50k..winner take all to anyone, it was arranged to visit but Pure Steel had a last minute mystery illness..Sir- Niatross was generations ahead of any Standardbred at that time. This wasnt Bret Hanover not seeing Cardigan bay on the way outside in 65'(by the way Bret beat him 3x)..Aussie Horses have staying power, but Niatross was a freak.
This guy was generations ahead of other horses. No Aussie American or horse from Mars could touch him. And it seems to me that most of the horses down there are sons and daughters of North American horses. Mach Three , Bettors Delight. Mares by Falcon Seelster ect.
Do Australians go out of their way to make fools of themselves - or does it just come naturally? This is perhaps the THE most stupid statement I have read online (repository of many stupid statements). No Australasian standardbred - before, contemporaneously or since - would have been competitive with Niatross.
I was there I remember it like it was yesterday not 43 years ago. All the drivers came out to the fence line to watch, thats how special this horse was
Absolutely incredible pacer!!
A true harness racing legend - I won a big exacta at Greenwood raceway in Toronto (now housing) with Call for Rain and Galbraith on top. He had some great ones.
I did not see Niatross, but I did witness the first race of Somebeach in Grand River, Ontario, Canada. He was not even the favourite - favourite took the lead and Somebeach just came charging at the half and no contest total destruction. I was left in awe but I didn't realize how good he would be. I think the ownership group got offers right then for this horse. It was Grand River day, got autographs from drivers, Pat and Phil Hudon trash talking each other while I got both their autographs (pretty funny). And they had a nice grey horse Admirals Express to show - kids liked that part. Horse so nice and gentle. And I believe won over $2 mil in his career back in early 2000's when it meant something.
I remember when Cam Fella and Niatross toured together and at a couple of tracks they let the two 'race' half a mile. Both horses were at least in their late teens. Niatross paced a half in 57 and if I remember right, off a quarter in 27.2. It was obvious even at his age in proper condition he could have still gone out and beat virtually anyone. Saw him at Walnridge Farm in NJ as well. Awesome horse.
i was at hollywood park for all 3 of his races
they were real races for large purses but there was no betting they were terrified of the minus pool he would have created best horse i ever saw i have no doube if he were here today he would pace in 1:46 or better
The biggest difference between Niatross and all the other great ones was Niatross' going so much faster than anyone had ever before....and he did it without the help of a quick hitch, aluminum feather light bikes, drugs, and a driver that was never much good. Somebeach was a freak, Nihilator was a freak, Bret was a freak...but Niatross was the ultimate freak of nature.
why all the knocks on Galbraith. He wouldnt be in the hall of fame if he was never much good
True.
People look at times now and try to say Niatross was not as good, but he was a true freak like Somebeachsomewhere and he was the best all time. Give him all of the new equipment and faster tracks and I swear he could beat 1:45 now. Just like Bobby Orr - he was the best of all time, period. Not just the best of his era in hockey. No one comes close. He was the hockey freak.
pacing a hole in the wind, trying to make every pole a winning one. Robin Burns one of the best harness announcers ever
He's actually calling at Presque Isle Downs in Erie, PA these days.
@@newstarcadefan thanks for the info wondered what happened to him
JOHN RMIREZ He has relocated to Belterra Park outside of Cincinnati Oh..
@@markrocovich2234 thanks
MAGNIFICENT!
Saw the big horse do a Tour at Freehold in summer 1994..Still looked great..spoke to his handler who told me they trained him every now and then cause he loved it..He used to fight to turn when warming up..and seeing another horse zipping a quarter. The handler told me there was no doubt..if trained he could still go 56'..on a half in his late teens..
Dont forget his dad Albatross was amazing too..
Thank you for giving mention to the great albatross.In my opinion and Stanley Dancer, albatross was the greatest pacer of all time.
@@alborrelli1604 Nihilator not too bad either, although later.
Goosebumps.
I WAS THERE TO SEE THIS RACE I WAS SO EXCITED TO SEE CLINT WIN I JUST HAVE TO SAY I WISH THE TRACK WOULD HAVE CONTINUE TO HAVE HARNESS RACING HAS IT WAS THE MOST WONDERFUL SPOT I HAVE BEEN IN CALIFORNIA TO SEE HARNESS RACING
yep i worked there for the Harness racing to they left for good , hated to see the harness leave . seen some of the best run there .
What happened to Clint Glabreth?
@@mrautomatic9087 Clint is not doing well..he and Barbara are still at the farm, and it has gone to hell..Don't be surprised to hear of an unhappy ending to this story...
Cruised - never touched him. Amazing. Goose bumps!
Galbraith was a pretty conservative driver too, stating many times Niatross could have gone faster, especially in his Time Trial, but Galbraith didn't push it. What a shame he never raced as a four year old.
Awesome video, awesome horse.....just a wonder to watch
Some of the best times of my very eventful life were spent either going to, being at, or after the races at Yonkers or Roosevelt. They drew like 17,000 plus on a Monday or Tuesday night. That entire mindset is gone now. The way of life in the 1960's was fantastic. It's gone now. Other things have replaced it.
Me too loved going there
@Niaspeed Agreed. There has never been any horse like him. Almost supernatural.
I saw Niatross race a few times but was most impressed with him in 1995 when they took him from the farm to showcase him at Freehold Raceway.He was almost 17, his eyes and coat looked great. I asked his handler, how he looked so good at his age.I was told he got bored easy so they treat him with letting him go in the sulky I was told when he trained he would want to turn and start to race.He still went quarters in 30 or so and halves in 60 His trainer swore he could still do 56 if trained down.
Oh those bygone days spending Saturday Nights at Liberty Bell Park as a high school kid. Sitting in the club house with my step dad and his degenerate betting buddies!
Niaspeed....i agree...this horse was todays equivalent of usain bolt on steroids.......a once in a century horse....was a treat to see him Pace
Only his son Nihilator rivals Niatross. Best father, son duo ever.
brent hachmann
Best father ,Son,(Nihilator) Grandfather, trio ever (Albatross)
brent hachmann hands dwn we had a niatross Colt in Mississippi his name was aligo he had that Hanover blood to he was a legend. But his son who came off a mare that nva went under 2:05 went on to drop a colt call bugleboy who late set track record. But I'm from Mississippi n we didn't get much cause our bloodline was consider garbage but he later changed all that.
Grandaddy was a good one to . That's where the tross comes from .
@@brianjschumer according to Stanley Dancer,Albatross was the best of all time and I agree .
THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR VIDEO !!!
That may be the funniest thing ive ever heard, thanks for the laugh. LOL
i was there that night i saw all of his races at hollypark
now i watch the horses race at cal expo for 1600 purses
no crowds and very little money in the pools
crookedest game in town
Whats honest? Slot machines? Clueless!
not all this was just the best horse of his generation by a mile showing what he could do he was a pure joy to watch
Now record is 145.4 Bulldog Hanover 2022
Shelly G....Jim Grundy...Joe Lighthill...some of the best to ever drive in California...
marc aubin gene vallandingham steve desomer george hardie rick kuebler stan bayless richard todd remember them all
Mark seen your comment about great drivers at Hollywood . Was Shelly G actually Shelly Goodreau ?
Again Mark , Shelly Goudreau . Your comment made me curious , Shelly drove at Windsor Raceway along with his father . Just a young kid starting out . You could tell then he was a good one . Followed him at Windsor and in Ohio at Scioto . Started being more interested in runners and lost track . Was shocked and never knew he was killed at Hollywood Park 35 years ago .
@@timothyantoine914 I was at the outside fence at Hollywood Park the night he went down..when Fred was dispersing the Stable equipment, I bought a tack trunk, race bike, and a jog cart cover from him..The bike was the one that Apollo's Way raced in, I still use the jog cart cover..
@@timothyantoine914 Yes..he was just hitting his stride as a driver/trainer and if he had survived the spill, JOHN CAMPBELL would not be the legend that every one has anointed him..Shelly had talent that equaled or surpassed John's at every level..
Never knew Hollywood Park hosted these kind of races.
Hollywood Park was a PREMIER FACILITY for harness racing for over 40 years..it was a year end stop for Free For All PACERS and Trotters along with 3 year old stake colts and fillies..The Trotting and Pacing Classics were the richest races for FREE FOR ALLERS for many years...CRIMINAL that the track is no more..
Mark Rocovich thanks for the info. I miss Hollywood Park everyday.
@@rosendorendonjr Honestly, I miss going to the House of Raymond in Hawthorne for Dinner!!!
I was lucky to see him at Yonkers win the Cane Pace. There was a minus pool yet people were still betting him just to save the winning tickets WPS I thought well how special can a horse be? When he came onto the track it was obvious. Big and dark with muscles upon muscles-he seemed not to be in the same class. Special? I think the best of all time. Clint was an ok driver but I wonder what time he'd do with B Sears, Brennan or Walter Case?
Niatross is a legend, Holburn was doped.
is that Robin Burns announcing?
He is the best ever
The great
Announcer said there was no wind, then said Niatross was pacing a hole in the wind. lol
Hardest racing is gone no more 50000 fans on a Monday night it Penn national 1600 claimer if there still racing
its a shame. i think it's alot more exciting than thoroughbred
first of all, i never said holborn was better than niatross. i only said it wasnt as competitive. i dont even know what youre talking about. and 4 the record hoborn has alot more stakes wins that the meadowlands pace. he's one of the richest pacers of all time, probably close to 2.5 million in earnings.
Never really pushed him in the stretch either. Coulda really smoked the record.
CLINT GALBRATH DID IT SETTING THE RECORD FOR 152.1 THE OTHER HORSE WERE JUST SUCKING ALONG HE WON BY 10 LENGHTS THE ONLY HORSE CLOSING WAS FATHER DUFFY AND R LAWSON AND HE 12 LENGHTH BEHIND
Nihilator was no slouch either !
@Niaspeed Also, Somebeach was defeated in the Meadowlands Pace, and Somebeach never faced Free For All pacers...not to say that he couldn't have, but basically, his short-sighted owners denied their horse the chance at All-Time Greatness that he should have had; Somebeach never defeated any horse born any year other than 2005...3 greatest ever: Niatross; Dan Patch; Bret Hanover, don't sell Bret short 35 straight wins over all size tracks, great horse at 2,3 and 4...
cmon man somebeach lost in the pace with a horrendous drive trying to go 3 wide on the backstretch and art official never left the rail and only won by a whisker on the final jump in 147 and 1
One thing that Roosevelt and Hollywood Park had in common is that they BOTH took 2 of the greatest extra-distance races for FFA pacers and turned them to shit..RR did away with the National Pacing Derby at 1 1/4 miles for no good reason, and HoPk took the APC and made it into a SERIES, instead of the one-off race that it historically was at 11/8 miles..I guess having such great horses like True Duane, Albatross, Young Quinn and TryScotch wasnt enough for those nimrods to leave it be...The same fate befell the Provincial Cup at Windsor...
WOW..never even touched him!!!!!
Rambleing Willie is the best ever. Do you agree.
somebeachsomewhere would give him a run for his money. Probably the only one that could..
Different Era, Somebeach, was a rocket, and a damn good sire as well... Niatross raced in an era where there was no carbon fiber sulkys and synthetic harness ' and souped-up(hard clay synthetic) race tracks..
the competition is so much deeper now. niatross had storm damage - 2 horse that were better than storm damage (forget the names) were hurt most of the year. im not saying holborn is better, niatross was one of the greatest but youll never know how he'd fare against todays best pacers. youre saying rocknroll had no chance against him?
nickrock23 Just so you know, Tyler B and Trenton Time were no slouches either, but the only real threat to Niatross was WHAMO, and he died at UF-Gainesville late as a 2yo from salmonella he contracted at Lexington...
Why was they wearing masks in winners circle 😷
too bad Niatross did not have a real driver on him instead of the statue Clint Galbreath
And who do you think would have been a better driver? My self think you are off your rocker
really he broke the world record that night(I was there) he never touched him what would you have liked him to do beat him with the whip you know bubkus
@@kimberlygalbraith8287
Your dad was a great trainer, but I can name a dozen drivers at that time, who could have out driven your dad, but I understand and its your right to think of your dad as an all time great driver. That was a time when the trainers who had great horses drove them to make the extra 5% purse,not thinking about the owners and horses to benefit.. just a few examples here, Preston Burris Jr (Silk Stockings)Pat Crowe (Cam Fella),etc..I can go on and on and including your dad..sorry if it hurts, but true..
brianjschumer Brian..just to let you know...Kim is DON GALBRAITH'S daughter..not Clints...Lucretia and Patrick are Clints offspring...
brianjschumer Brian just to let you know Kimberly is the daughter of Don Galbraith not Clint Clint had two kids Patrick and Lucretia now you know
@CMCArmyROTC Get rid of the hand up rule & introduce cups racing. Be far better from a spectator's POV. I find US harness racing pretty boring actually. Search the 2011 Interdominion Final. You'll see a horse called Mr Feelgood who was a LBJ winner. He finishes 4th behind 1. the best horse racing in ANZ at the moment called Smoken Up 2. IMO the best sit & sprint horse I've ever seen anywhere The Mightyquinn & 3. The richest standardbred of all time (anywhere) Blacks a Fake. More exciting racing.
should of pulled the whip but american horses are week if he had a australian horse staring him down instead of indian file would of folded like a pack of cards
You sir are a dummy!
Karloo..Haha..You sir are a troll..that horse was the best ever..Aussies had no balls or they would have brought.. Pure Steel to USA or Satinover, Koala king,Gammalite or Paleface Adios..maybe best group ever to race in Western hemisphere (NZ&Aussie)& Especially since Pure Steel loud owners offering $50k..winner take all to anyone, it was arranged to visit but Pure Steel had a last minute mystery illness..Sir- Niatross was generations ahead of any Standardbred at that time.
This wasnt Bret Hanover not seeing Cardigan bay on the way outside in 65'(by the way Bret beat him 3x)..Aussie Horses have staying power, but Niatross was a freak.
Do Harness Horses in Australia drive on the wrong side of the track ?
This guy was generations ahead of other horses. No Aussie American or horse from Mars could touch him. And it seems to me that most of the horses down there are sons and daughters of North American horses. Mach Three , Bettors Delight. Mares by Falcon Seelster ect.
Do Australians go out of their way to make fools of themselves - or does it just come naturally? This is perhaps the THE most stupid statement I have read online (repository of many stupid statements). No Australasian standardbred - before, contemporaneously or since - would have been competitive with Niatross.
Bullhanover.would.beat
Niotross
Track announcer: Robin Burns